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Women s Compromises

Introduction . Theme of women's compromises. Structure: how it creates significance of women's compromises. Creation of characters - to represent diversity of women, united by compromise. - style: language. 4 women: Joan and Griselda (Act 1). Marlene and Joyce (Act 3). Significance of children.Play=style crucial. Refered to throughout presentation .

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Women s Compromises

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    1. Womens Compromises Top Girls By Caryl Churchill

    3. What is the significance of womens compromise in Top Girls? Central theme Women can have independence or emotional freedom (to love and be loved). Not both. Must choose one and sacrifice other. Churchill illustrates point through creating variety of women different decisions and different consequences carefully created through language and structure. Churchill does not judge, just presents situation.

    4. Past and present. ALL women have made compromises. Timelessness of womens plight. Marlene: Oh God, why are we all so miserable? (p. 18) Act 1: Representation of all women coming together in celebration of Marlene, a woman who appears to have not sacrificed for independence. = Irony. Men take for granted freedom which women celebrate. Emphasises compromises of Marlene and Joyce. Churchill historic characters accentuate modern day situation otherwise taken for granted. Audience is entertained by Act 1. Relate to Act 3

    5. Characterisation Play must be engaging. Audience has to relate to character. Churchill creates diverse characters ->universal nature of womens sacrifice -> Churchill characterises through language. Diction, syntax portrays character. Act 1: character created through story. Theme compromise shown through confusion. Many characters speak same time. Variety syntax and tones(p. 25 Griselda, Nijo, Joan, Isabella, Marlene). Act 3: Character created more through language. Churchill gives each character manner through choice of diction, syntax.

    6. Joan and Griselda Joan and Griselda compromises = extreme examples of Marlene and Joyce compromises. True of most Act 1 characters. Example: Isabella talking about when she left home, But I couldnt stay in Scotland. I loathed the constant murk, (p. 2). Echoes Marlenes attitude toward leaving home.

    7. Pope Joan Confident and business like. Shows intellectual freedom and status. Churchill shows through intelligent, careful language and conduct in conversation. States, rather than chats, Death is the return of all creatures to God, ( p.4). woman who actually became a man to be Pope. I didnt live a womans life. I dont understand it, (p. 24) Theme: sacrificing womanhood for mens freedom. Joan: lost baby to fulfil role as Pope. Ultimate womans sacrifice. Churchill shows desperation of women for freedom.

    8. Griselda Very different from Joan. Churchill shows no woman lives full, happy life. Portrayed as good-natured, forgiving, womanly.Language is nave and submissive, Of course, I loved them, (p. 25). Passive phrases, I could see why. Shows freedom of sentiment and gender. Griselda: gave up independence and many personal rights to be wife. But of course a wife must obey her husband, (p. 21) Gave up children to keep love of her husband.

    9. Marlene and Joyce Through Marlene and Joyce Churchill brings the issue of womens compromises into modern situation. Audience can better relate. Marlene and Joyce are sisters. Same situations. Different decisions. Both sacrifice. Audience cannot argue decision. Shows compromise for women is inevitable.

    10. Marlene Brisk businesswoman, Churchill shows through language and response to others, commanding tone, Stop getting at me then, youre really boring, (p. 76). Determined, pushy (success not easy) revealed though aggressive speech. Repetition. (p. 78 READ) Independence revealed through freedom of speech. Harsh diction suggests lack of sensitivity, Dont you fucking this fucking that fucking bitch (p. 79) Successful. Other women gathered to celebrate her. Other hand: gave up child (Angie). Left family. Resentful: So, its just your mother is it (p. 78)

    11. Clearly illustrates character compromises as well as physical. Marlene does not recognise value of others not had opportunity to be with family, raise child. Wrapped up in fighting for self. I left home, so what, I left home. People do leave home/ it is normal (p. 78)

    12. Joyce Poor, bitter, down-to-earth, but more mature and sensitive than Marlene. Reflected in calmer, more concerned language, Will you be alright on the sofa? (p. 76) Adopted Angie (Marlenes baby) giving up opportunity for professional success like Marlene.Lost own baby looking after Angie. However: has place in family, child and perhaps more honest to herself than Marlene. Talking about visiting mother: How would I feel if I didnt go, (p. 79).

    13. Children All 4 characters give up children! Joan: cannot admit pregnancy. Baby dies. Marlene: cannot keep baby and be independent. Baby goes to Joyce. Griselda: Must obey husband. Gives children up. Joyce: Exhausted looking after Angie, has miscarriage with own baby.

    14. Children = a symbol of complete womanhood. Involve both love and independence, which no woman has. In play, no woman would voluntarily lose child. Forced to to retain their freedom. Marlene and Joan - striving for independence- cannot acknowledge their womanhood if they want to succeed in the mens world. Griselda and Joyce- trying to hold traditional womanly roles -forced to give up themselves (their children) for the love of others.

    15. Conclusion Churchill saying that all women must make a decision which results in the sacrifice of a vital aspect of their lives. Compromise independence for love and womanhood or vice versa. Illustrated through Joan and Marlene, and Griselda and Joyce. Compromises not only affect womans physical situation but change character. Marlene: successful and wealthy but is slightly cold and self-centred. Lost womanliness. Churchill saying women must behave like men to succeed.. Churchill does not judge: presents situations of harsh reality for the audience to draw conclusions.

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